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Aussie pitcher could play in SCG showdown

Joe Barton

Australian pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith could make a shock appearance in the historic Major League Baseball series at the SCG next year after receiving a career lifeline.

The 30-year-old has signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who will play a season-opening two-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers starting on March 22 next year.

It is the first time an MLB clash will be played on Australian soil, and an appearance by an Australian star would be a major boost for the concept.

Included in the left-armer's deal is an invite to spring training with the Diamondback's major league squad.

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A successful spring would give the Sydney-born star a real hope of landing a bullpen spot - which would book his flight home for the showdown between the National League West rivals.

To have Rowland-Smith involved would help justify the decision to take the season-opening down under, with Australia's impressive ability to produce players considered one of the reasons for selecting Sydney to open the 2014 season.

"The development of baseball here has been exponential over the past 10 years," MLB official Tim Slaven told AAP in June.

"It's really impressive what this country has done in producing world-class talent and it's certainly acknowledged by the fact that we're coming here."

Rowland-Smith enjoyed strong minor league form in the Boston Red Sox system last year before a burst appendix in June ended his charge at a recall to majors.

Australian relief pitcher Peter Moylan spent the 2013 season with the Dodgers before electing for free agency last month.

Meanwhile, the Australian national team will play the Dodgers on Thursday, March 20 and the Diamondbacks on Friday, March 21, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell confirmed on Tuesday.

Team Australia will likely include sluggers Luke Hughes, Brad Harman and Justin Huber.

The trio have all played in the top tier in the US with varying success and are expected to put their hands up to play in the fixtures.

Hughes and Harman are both officially MLB free agents and have starred in the Australian Baseball League for the past three seasons.

Hughes' Perth Heat won the first two ABL titles, while Huber and Harman have been a force in the middle of the order for the Melbourne Aces.

"All names are on the board at this stage," said Team Australia manager Jon Deeble.

"Come March 2014 we will showcase our best talent."

MLB has previously opened seasons in Mexico in 1999, Japan (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012) and Puerto Rico in 2001.